SERIES 

i    ;  ISSlil. 

of  Latin  Classics 

SI 


"1 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

RIVERSIDE 


Etje  Students'  Scries  of  latin  (Classics 

THE  PHORMIO  OF  TERENCE 

SIMPLIFIED   FOR  THE  USE   OF   SCHOOLS 

TRANSLATED 
BY 

H.   R,   FAIRCLOUGH,  Ph.D. 

PROFESSOR    OF    LATIN,    LELAND    STANFORD    JUNIOR 
UNIVERSITY 

AND 

LEON   J.   RICHARDSON,  A.B. 

ASSOCIATE    PROFESSOR    OF    LATIN 
UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA 


ov  7rdXX'   aWa   ttoXv 


BENJ.    H.    SANBORN    &   CO. 

BOSTON  NEW  YORK  CHICAGO 

1909 


Copyright,  1909, 
By  H.   E.   FAIECLOUGH   and   LEON   J.    EICHARDSON. 


Norixiooti  i^rcss 

J.  S.  Cushing  Co.  —  Berwick  &  Smith  Co. 

Norwood,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


PERSONAE 

Demipho,  an  old  man. 

Antipho,  his  son. 

Geta,  a  slave  of  Demipho. 

Davus,  a  slave,  friend  of  Geta. 

Hegio 

Cratinus  I  legal  advisers  of  Demipho. 

Crito 

Chremes,  an  old  man,  brother  of  Demipho. 

Nausistrata,  his  wife. 

Phaedria,  his  son. 

Sophrona,  a  nurse. 

Phormio,  a  parasite. 

Dorio,  a  slave  dealer. 

The  following  do  not  appear : 
Phanium,  daughter  of  Chremes  and  wife  of  Antipho. 
Pamphila,  a  slave  girl  loved  by  Phaedria. 


House  of  Chremes 


House  of  Demipho 


House  of  Dorio 


•  (To  the  Harbor) 


Street 


(To  the  Forum)  ■ 


Plan  of  Stage 


TRANSLATION 
ACT  I 

Scene  1 

\_Davus  enters  from  the  right,  carrying  a  bag  of  money.] 

Davus 

Da.  (to  the  audience)  Geta,  my  fellow-countryman  and 
greatest  friend,  came  to  me  yesterday.  For  some  time 
there  had  been  in  my  hands  a  trifling  balance  of  money 
due  to  him  on  a  little  account.  This  he  begged  me  to 
make  up.  I  have  done  so ;  here  it  is.  His  master's  son, 
I  hear,  has  taken  a  wife ;  it  is  as  a  present  for  her,  I  sup- 
pose, that  this  is  scraped  together.  But  isn't  that  Geta 
there? 

Scene  2 

[Enter  Geta  from  Demipho's  house.'] 
Geta  Davus 

Ge.    (not  seeing  Davus,  and  calling  to  a  slave  within)  If 

a  red-haired  man  inquires  for  me  — 
Da.   Here  he  is ;  say  no  more. 
Ge.  (turning  round)  Oh !  why,  I  was  trying  to  find  you, 

Davus. 
Da.   There,  take  it;   it's  good  money;   the  number  will 

agree  with  what  I  owed. 

1 


2  TERENCE  [I.  2.  14-43 

Ge.   I  am  obliged  to  you,  and  am  grateful  for  your  not 

having  forgotten  me. 
Da.  Especially  as  times  are  now.     The  world  is  coming 

to  this  pass,  if  a  man  repays  you  anything  you  must 

be  very  grateful.     But  why  are  you  so  grave  ? 
Ge.   I  ?    You  don't  know  in  what  fear  and  peril  we  stand. 
Da.  What  is  the  matter  ? 

Ge.   You  shall  learn,  if  only  you  can  keep  the  secret. 
Da.   Away,  you  silly  fellow !     When  you  have  proved  a 

man's  faithfulness  in  a  money  matter,  are  you  afraid 

to  intrust  him  with  words?     And  here,  what  do  I 

gain  in  deceiving  you? 
Ge.   Well  then,  listen. 
Da.  I'll  give  all  my  attention  to  you. 
Ge.  Davus,    do    you  know    our    old    gentleman's    elder 

brother,  Chremes  ? 
Da.    Why,  of  course. 
Ge.   Well,  his  son  Phaedria  ? 
Da.  As  well  as  I  know  you. 
Ge.  It  so  happened  with  both  the  old  gentlemen  at  the 

same  time,  that  the  one  went  on  a  journey  to  Lesbos, 

while  ours  went  to  see  an  old  friend  in  Cilicia.     He 

enticed  the  old  gentleman  by  letters,  promising  all 

but  mountains  of  gold. 
Da.  When  he  had  so  much  and  plenty  to  spare? 
Ge.   Say  no  more.     That  is  his  way. 
Da.   Oh,  'tis  I  that  ought  to  have  been  the  man  of  wealth. 
Ge.   On  going  abroad,  both  the  old  men  left  me  here  as  a 

sort  of  guardian  to  their  sons. 
Da.   0  Geta,  you  undertook  a  hard  task. 
Ge.   Such  was  my  experience,  I  know  that.     I  am  sure 

that  I  was  left  thus  because  my  good  Genius  was 


1. 2. 44-69J  PHORMIO  3 

angry.  At  first  I  began  to  oppose  them.  What 
need  of  words  ?  While  proving  my  loyalty  to  the 
old  men,  I  brought  blows  upon  my  shoulders  (rub- 
bing them). 

Da.  That's  what  occurred  to  my  mind.  Indeed,  it  is 
folly  to  kick  against  the  pricks. 

Ge.  I  began  to  do  everything  for  them,  to  humor 
their  wishes. 

Da.   You  knew  how  to  manage  the  market. 

Ge.  Our  young  friend  did  no  mischief  at  first.  This 
Phaedria  straightway  found  a  certain  lassie  of  a 
music-girl.  He  began  to  love  her  to  distraction 
and  wanted  to  marry  her,  but  she  was  enslaved  to 
an  abominable  master.  Their  fathers  had  taken 
care  that  they  should  have  nothing  to  give  away. 
All  that  remained  for  him  was  to  feast  his  eyes, 
follow  her  up  and  down,  and  escort  her  to  and  from 
school.  We,  having  nothing  on  our  hands,  devoted 
ourselves  to  Phaedria.  Just  opposite  the  school,  in 
which  she  had  her  lessons,  was  a  barber's  shop. 
Here  we  would  generally  wait  for  her,  till  she  left 
the  place  for  home.  One  day,  while  we  were  sit- 
ting there,  there  came  upon  us  a  certain  young  man, 
in  tears.  We  were  surprised,  and  asked  what  was 
the  trouble.  "  Never,"  said  he,  "  has  poverty  ap- 
peared to  me  so  pitiable  and  grievous  a  burden  as 
but  now.  I  have  just  seen  in  this  neighborhood  a 
poor  girl  lamenting  her  dead  mother.  The  corpse 
was  laid  out  opposite  her,  and  not  a  single  friend, 
acquaintance,  or  relative  was  with  her,  except  one 
poor  old  dame,  to  assist  in  the  funeral.  I  pitied 
her.  The  girl  herself  was  strikingly  beautiful."  Why 


4  TERENCE  [I.  2.  70-93 

need  I  dilate  upon  it  ?  He  had  moved  us  all.  At 
once  Antipho  cried,  "  Would  you  like  us  to  visit  her?  " 
Said  another,  "That's  my  view.  Let  us  go.  Lead 
us  on,  please."  We  go,  arrive,  see  her.  The  girl  was 
beautiful,  and  that  you  might  say  so  more  truly, 
there  was  nothing  to  heighten  her  beauty.  Her 
hair  dishevelled,  her  feet  bare,  herself  slovenly,  in 
tears  and  meanly  clad ;  so  that,  had  there  not  been 
the  essence  of  perfection  in  her  very  form,  these 
defects  would  have  extinguished  her  beauty.  The 
one  who  was  in  love  with  that  music-girl  merely 
said,  "She  is  pretty  enough;"  but  our  young  gen- 
tleman — 

Da.    (interrupting)  I  know  already  —  fell  in  love. 

Ge.  Do  you  know  how  deeply?  See  the  result.  The 
next  day  he  goes  straight  to  the  old  woman;  he 
asks  her  who  the  girl's  parents  are,  where  she 
comes  from,  or  who  she  is.  He  learns  that  she  is 
an  Athenian  citizen,  honest,  and  born  of  honest 
parents ;  if  he  wanted  to  take  her  as  wife,  he  could 
do  so  by  law.  What  to  do,  our  young  man  did  not 
know ;  he  was  anxious  ,to  wed  her,  and  yet  feared 
his  absent  father. 

Da.  If  his  father  had  returned,  would  he  not  give  him 
permission  ? 

Ge.  He  permit  him  to  wed  a  girl  with  neither  fortune 
nor  family  ?     He  would  never  do  it. 

Da.   What  comes  of  it  finally  ? 

Ge.  What  comes  of  it  ?  There  is  a  parasite,  one  Phor- 
mio;  a  fellow  of  assurance;  may  all  the  gods  con- 
found him ! 

Da.   What  did  he  do  ? 


I.  2. 94-120]  PHORMIO  5 

Ge.  He  gave  this  piece  of  advice,  of  which  I  will  tell 
you.  "  There  is  a  law  that  orphan  girls  should  wed 
their  next  of  kin,  and  this  same  law  orders  such  per- 
sons to  marry  them.  I  will  say  that  you  are  a  kins- 
man and  enter  an  action  against  you.  I'll  pretend 
that  I  am  a  friend  of  the  girl's  father ;  we  will  come 
before  the  judges;  who  her  father  was,  who  her 
mother,  how  she  is  akin  to  you,  all  this  I'll  invent, 
as  far  as  shall  be  good  and  expedient  for  my  pur- 
pose. You  will  disprove  none  of  these  statements, 
and  of  course  I  shall  win.  Your  father  will  arrive ; 
a  row  is  in  store  for  me  ;  what  care  I  ?  The  girl  at 
any  rate  will  be  ours." 

Da.   What  amusing  impudence! 

Ge.  He  was  persuaded ;  the  plan  was  carried  out ;  they 
went  to  court ;  we  were  beaten  ;  lie  married  her. 

Da.  What  is  this  you  tell  me  ? 

Ge.   Just  what  you  hear. 

Da.  0  Geta,  what  will  become  of  you? 

Ge.  Indeed  I  know  not.  This  one  thing  I  do  know  — 
whatever  fortune  brings,  we'll  bear  it  with  resig- 
nation. 

Da.  Well  said !  Ay,  that's  a  man's  duty,  (patting  Geta 
on  the  back) 

Ge.  All  my  hope  is  in  myself. 

Da.  What  about  that  escort,  who  was  in  love  with  the 
music-girl  ?     How  fares  he  ? 

Ge.    (shrugging  his  shoulders)   So  so !  but  poorly. 

Da.   Perhaps  he  hasn't  much  to  give  ? 

Ge.  Why,  nothing  but  mere  hope. 

Da.   Has  his  father  come  back  or  not  ? 

Ge.  Not  yet. 


6  TERENCE  [I.  2.  121-128 

Da.  Well,  when  do  you  expect  your  old  gentleman  ? 

Ge.  I  don't  know  for  certain,  but  I've  just  heard  that  a 
letter  has  come  from  him  and  been  left  with  the  cus- 
tom-house officers.     I'll  go  for  it. 

Da.  Do  you  want  anything  more  with  me,  Geta  ? 

Ge.  Only  that  all  may  go  well  with  yon.  {Exit  Davus.) 
Ho,  boy  !  Is  nobody  coming  out  here?  (a  slave  ap- 
pears) Take  this  and  give  it  to  Dorcium.  (Exit 
Geta  to  the  left.) 


ACT  II 

Scene  1 

[Enter  Antipho  and  Phaedria] 
Antipho  Phaedria 

Ph.  Others,  for  lack  of  what  they  love,  are  miserable; 
you  grieve  because  of  the  surfeit.  You,  Antipho, 
have  an  abundance  of  love.  For  most  assuredly 
this  position  of  yours  is  to  be  coveted  and  desired. 

An.  But  on  the  other  hand,  you,  Phaedria,  now  seem  to 
me  the  happy  one,  you  who  still  have  the  privilege 
of  debating  freely  what  you  prefer,  —  to  keep  or  drop 
your  love.  I,  unfortunate  one,  have  come  into  such 
a  position  that  I  can  neither  drop  nor  keep  mine. 
But  what  means  this?  Don't  I  see  Geta  coming 
here  at  a  run  ?  "lis  he  himself.  Oh,  I  fear, 
wretched  one,  what  news  he  is  now  bringing  me. 

Scene  2 

[Geta  enters  from  the  left,  but  does  not  notice  Antipho  and 

Phaedria.'] 

Ge.  (to  himself)  It  is  all  up  with  you,  Geta,  unless  you 
now  at  once  find  some  device.  So  many  evils  sud- 
denly threaten  you  now,  while  unprepared,  —  evils 
which  I  neither  know  how  to  shun  nor  how  to  free 
myself  from ;  for  no  longer  now  can  our  bold  step 
be  kept  a  secret. 

7 


8  TERENCE  [II.  2.  17-48 

An.  (aside  to  Phaedria)  Why  is  he  coming  thus  perturbed  ? 
Ge.   Moreover,  I  have  but  a  moment  for  this  purpose.    My 

master  is  near  by. 
An.   (aside  to  Phaedria)  What  mischief  is  this  ? 
Ge.    (to  himself)  When  he  hears  this,  what  remedy  shall 

I  find  for  his  anger  ?  (looking  round)  But  where  am 

I  to  find  Antipho?     Or  which  way  set  out  to  look 

for  him  ? 
Ph.    (aside  to  Antipho)  It  is  you  he  mentions. 
An.  (aside  to  Phaedria)  With  such  a  messenger  I  look 

for  some  great  misfortune. 
Ph.    (to  Antipho)  Ah ! 

Ge.   I'll  start  for  home.     He  is  generally  there. 
Ph.   (aside  to  Antipho)  Let  us  call  him  back. 
An.   Stop  at  once  ! 
Ge.   (without  looking  round)  Well !  with  authority  enough, 

whoever  you  are. 
An.  Geta! 

Ge.   (looking  round)  The  very  man  I  wanted  to  meet. 
An.  Tell  me,  I  pray,  what  news  ?  and  tell  me  in   one 

word,  if  you  can. 
Ge.   I'll  do  so. 
An.  Speak  out. 

Ge.   Just  now  at  the  harbor  — 
An.  My  father  ? 
Ge.   You  have  hit  it. 
An.  Ruin ! 
Ph.    What? 
An.  What  am  I  to  do  ? 
Ph.    (to  Geta)  What  is  it  you  say  ? 
Ge.   That  I  have  seen  his  father,  your  uncle. 
An.   What  remedy,  pray,  am  I,  unhappy  one,  to  find  for 


II.  2. 49-79]  PHORMIO  9 

this  sudden  misfortune  ?  But  if  my  fortunes  come 
to  this  pass,  that  I  am  torn  from  thee,  Phanium,  life 
is  of  no  worth  to  me. 

Ge.  Therefore,  Antipho,  since  matters  are  thus,  the  more 
fitting  is  it  for  you  to  be  on  your  guard.  Fortune 
favors  the  brave. 

An.  I  am  not  myself. 

Ge.  And  yet,  Antipho,  at  this  particular  moment  you 
should  be  so ;  for  if  your  father  perceives  that  you 
are  alarmed,  he  will  think  you  are  guilty. 

Ph.    That's  true. 

An.  I  cannot  change  myself. 

Ge.  What  would  you  do,  if  now  you  had  to  do  something 
else  still  more  difficult  ? 

An.  Since  I  cannot  do  this,  I  should  be  less  able  to  do 
that. 

Ge.  That  is  nothing,  Phaedria.  Let  us  be  off.  Why  do 
we  waste  time  here  idly  ?     Why  don't  I  go  off  ? 

Ph.    And  I  too  ?  {Both  turn  to  go.) 

An.  I  pray  you,  what  if  I  dissemble  ?  (striking  an  atti- 
tude)    Will  that  do  ? 

Ge.  Nonsense ! 

An.  Watch  my  face,  (assuming  a  careless  air)  There, 
will  that  do? 

Ge.   No! 

An.  (ivith  a  bolder  expression)  What  about  this  ? 

Ge.    Pretty  well. 

An.  Or  this  ? 

Ge.  That's  it.  Now  keep  to  that  and  see  that  you  an- 
swer him  word  for  word,  tit  for  tat,  lest  in  his  anger 
he  overpower  you  with  his  savage  taunts. 

An.  I  see. 


10  TERENCE  [II.  2.  80-104 

Ge.   Say  that  against  your  will  you  were  forced. 

Ph.    By  law  and  the  court. 

Ge.  Do  you  understand  ?  (looking  down  the  street)  But 
who  is  the  old  man  whom  I  see  at  the  foot  of  the 
street  ?     It's  he  himself. 

An.  I  cannot  stay,  (taking  to  his  heels) 

Ge.  (calling  after  him)  Oh,  what  are  you  about  ?  Where 
are  you  going,  Antipho  ?     Stop,  I  tell  you. 

An.  (turning  around  as  he  leaves  the  stage)  I  know  my- 
self and  my  offence.  To  you  I  intrust  Phanium  and 
my  life.      (Exit  Antipho.) 

Ph.   Geta,  what's  to  be  done  now  ? 

Ge.  Do  you  now  approach  him  first.  I  will  lie  here  in 
ambush  as  a  reserve  force,  if  you  fall  back  at  all. 

Ph.   All  right !  (Both  retire  to  the  back  of  the  stage.) 

Scene  3 

[Enter  Demipho,  who  does  not  see  Phaedria  and  Geta.] 

Demipho  Phaedria  Geta 

De.  (to  himself)  And  so  has  Antipho  really  married  with- 
out my  consent?  And  to  think  he  has  no  regard 
for  my  authority  or  —  to  waive  authority  —  none  for 
my  anger,  at  all  events  !  That  he  has  no  sense  of 
shame!     What  a  bold  deed  !  0  Geta,  you  counsellor! 

Ge.    (aside)  Well,  at  last ! 

De.  What  will  they  say  to  me  ?  Or  what  plea  will  they 
find  ?     I  do  wonder. 

Ge.  (aside)  And  yet  I'll  find  one.  Think  of  something 
else. 

De.  Will  he  tell  me  this :  "  I  did  it  against  my  will ; 
the  law  compelled  me"  ?     I  hear, and  admit  it. 


II.  3.  105-132]  PHORMIO  11 

Ge.    (aside)  Good ! 

De.  But  with  full  knowledge  and  in  silence  to  surrender 
the  cause  to  his  foes  —  did  the  law  oblige  him  to  do 
that  too  ? 

Ph.   (aside  to  Geta)  That's  a  poser. 

Ge.    (aside  to  Phaedria)  I'll  clear  that  up ;  let  me  alone. 

De.  I'm  in  doubt  what  to  do,  for  beyond  belief  and  ex- 
pectation has  this  blow  befallen  me.  So  angered 
am  I,  that  I  cannot  school  my  mind  to  think  upon 
it.  Therefore  all  people,  when  their  affairs  are 
most  prosperous,  then  especially  ought  to  con  over 
with  themselves  how  they  are  to  endure  the  blows  of 
adversity,  either  a  son's  misconduct,  a  wife's  death, 
or  a  daughter's  sickness;  (let  them  think)  that 
these  are  the  common  lot,  so  that  nothing  may 
come  as  a  surprise  to  the  mind.  AVhatever  happens 
beyond  expectation,  all  this  they  should  reckon  as 
gain. 

Ge.  (aside)  0  Phaedria,  it  is  incredible  how  far  I  surpass 
my  master  in  wisdom  !  I  have  conned  over  all  my 
troubles  against  my  master's  return.  I  must  grind 
at  the  mill,  be  beaten,  wear  fetters,  be  set  to  labor 
in  the  country.  None  of  these  things  will  come  as 
a  surprise  to  my  mind.  Whatever  happens  beyond 
my  expectation,  all  this  I  shall  reckon  as  gain.  But 
why  do  you  delay  to  approach  him  and  at  the  outset 
speak  him  fair?     (Phaedria  comes  forward.) 

De.  (to  himself)  I  see  Phaedria,  my  brother's  son,  coming 
toward  me. 

Ph.   Greetings  to  you,  my  uncle  ! 

De.   (coldly)  Greetings  to  you  !     But  where  is  Antipho  ? 

Ph.   That  you  have  come  safe  and  sound  .  .  . 


12  TERENCE  [II.  3.  133-163 

De.   (interrupting)  I  believe  you;  answer  me  this  question. 

Ph.  He  is  well,  he  is  here.  But  is  not  everything 
satisfactory  ? 

De.   Indeed,  I  could  wish  it  were. 

Ph.   What  means  this  ? 

De.  Do  you  ask,  Phaedria?  A  fine  marriage  you  have 
worked  up  here  in  my  absence  ! 

Ph.   What,  are  you  now  angry  with  him  for  that  ? 

Ge.  (aside)  0  clever  workman  ! 

De.  Should  I  not  be  angry  with  him  ?  I  long  to  have 
him  come  before  my  eyes,  that  he  may  learn  that 
through  his  fault  I,  who  was  formerly  a  gentle 
parent,  have  now  become  most  stern. 

Ph.  And  yet,  uncle,  he  has  done  nothing  for  which  you 
should  be  angry. 

De.  There  now !  All  alike ;  all  agree.  Know  one,  know 
all. 

Ph.   That's  not  so. 

De.  A  is  in  trouble,  B  is  at  hand  to  plead  his  cause; 
when  it  is  B,  A  is  ready.     They  serve  each  other. 

Ge.  (aside)  Without  knowing  it,  the  old  man  has  pictured 
their  doings  capitally. 

De.  For  if  this  were  not  so,  you,  Phaedria,  would  not  be 
on  his  side. 

Ph.  If  it  is  a  fact,  uncle,  that  Antipho  has  done  a  wrong, 
by  which  he  has  paid  too  little  regard  to  fame  or 
fortune,  I  offer  no  plea  to  prevent  his  suffering  what 
he  deserves.  But  if  perchance  some  one,  relying  on 
his  knavery,  has  laid  a  snare  for  our  inexperience 
and  has  succeeded,  is  this  our  fault  or  that  of  the 
judges,  who  often  from  envy  take  from  the  rich,  or 
from  pity  give  to  the  poor  ? 


II.  3.  164-190]  PHORMIO  13 

Ge.  (aside)  Did  I  not  know  the  case,  I  could  fancy  he 
was  telling  the  truth. 

De.  Is  there  any  judge  who  can  know  your  rights,  when 
you  yourself  do  not  answer  a  word  —  as  he  has  done  ? 

Ph.  He  acted  the  part  of  an  ingenuous  youth.  When 
they  came  before  the  judges,  he  could  not  set  forth 
what  he  had  intended  to  say.  So  much  then  did  his 
modesty  daze  him  there  in  his  bashfulness. 

Ge.  (aside)  I  commend  him.  But  do  I  hesitate  to  accost 
the  old  gentleman  at  once  ?  (advancing  to  Demijjho) 
My  greeting,  master !  I'm  glad  that  you  have  ar- 
rived safely. 

De.  Ah !  my  fine  guardian,  greeting  !  Truly  the  prop 
of  my  family,  to  whom,  when  leaving  here,  I  in- 
trusted my  son  ! 

Ge.  For  some  time  I  have  listened  to  you,  accusing  us  all 
undeservedly,  and  me  the  most  undeservedly  of  them 
all.  For  what  would  you  have  had  me  do  for  you 
in  this  matter  ?  The  laws  do  not  allow  a  slave  to 
plead,  and  there  is  no  giving  of  evidence  (on  his 
part). 

De.  I  waive  all  that.  I  grant  this,  that  from  inexperi- 
ence the  young  man  was  bashful.  I  allow  that  you 
are  a  slave.  Still  if  she  is  ever  so  closely  akin,  it  was 
not  necessary  to  marry  her,  but  as  the  law  enjoins, 
you  should  have  given  a  dowry ;  she  should  have 
looked  for  another  husband.  For  what  reason  did 
he  prefer  to  wed  a  pauper  ? 

Ge.  It  was  not  the  reason  that  was  wanting,  but  the 
money: 

De.  He  should  have  borrowed  it  from  somewhere. 

Ge.  Somewhere !     Nothing  is  easier  to  say. 


14  TERENCE  [II.  3.  191-209 

De.   In  short,  if  in  no  other  way,  on  interest. 

Ge.  Pshaw !  finely  said  !  as  if  any  one  would  have  trusted 
him,  while  you  were  alive. 

De.  No,  it  will  not  be  so.  It  cannot  be.  Should  I  suffer 
her  to  remain  with  him  as  his  bride  a  single  day  ? 
No  gentle  measure  have  they  earned.  I  want  this 
fellow  to  be  pointed  out  to  me,  or  to  be  shown  where 
he  lives. 

Ge.   Phormio,  I  suppose? 

De.   That  fellow  —  the  woman's  patron. 

Ge.   He  will  be  here  presently,  I  assure  you. 

De.   Where  is  Antipho  now  ? 

Ge.   Out  of  doors. 

De.   Go,  Phaedria,  look  him  up  and  bring  him  here. 

Ph.  I'm  off.  Indeed  I'll  go  there  at  once.  (Exeunt 
Phaedria  and  Geta.) 

De.  I'll  go  off  home  to  salute  the  house  gods.  From 
there  I'll  go  to  the  forum  and  summon  several  of  my 
friends  to  assist  in  this  matter,  so  that  I  may  not  be 
unprepared,  if  Phormio  comes.    (Exit  into  his  house.) 


ACT   III 

Scene  1 

[Enter  Phormio  and  Geta  from  the  right.'] 
Phormio         Geta 

Ph.  Do  you  mean  to  say  that,  dreading  his  father's  ar- 
rival, he  has  taken  himself  off  ? 

Ge.  Just  so. 

Ph.   That  Phanium  is  left  alone  ? 

Ge.   Precisely. 

Ph.  And  the  old  gentleman  is  angry  ? 

Ge.   Uncommonly  so. 

Ph.  (to  himself)  The  whole  business,  Phormio,  rests  upon 
you  alone.  You're  the  man  that  mixed  this  dish; 
you  must  eat  it  all  up.     Make  ready. 

Ge.   I  implore  you. 

Ph.    (to  himself,  disregarding  Geta)  If  he  inquires  — 

Ge.   Our  hope  is  in  you. 

Ph.   (to  himself)  But  see  here  !  what  if  he  retorts  ? 

Ge.  It  was  you  that  urged  us. 

Ph.    (to  himself)  Yes,  I  think  I  have  it. 

Ge.   Do  help  us. 

Ph.  (to  Geta)  Bring  the  old  gentleman  out.  All  my 
measures  are  now  settled  in  my  mind. 

Ge.   What  do  you  mean  to  do? 

Ph.  What  would  you  have  me  do,  save  that  Phanium 
shall  continue  with  him  and  I  clear  Antipho  from 

15 


16  TERENCE  [III.  1.  23-2.  45 

this  charge  and  turn  the  old  gentleman's  anger 
wholly  upon  myself  ? 

Ge.  0  brave  and  kind  man  that  you  are !  But,  Phormio, 
I  often  fear  lest  this  courage  may  end  in  the  stocks 
at  last. 

Ph.  Oh !  not  so.  I've  made  trial ;  I've  already  looked 
over  the  path  I  must  tread.  How  many  men  do  you 
suppose  I  have  already  beaten  even  to  death  ?  Well, 
tell  me,  did  you  ever  hear  of  an  action  of  damages 
being  brought  against  me  ? 

Ge.   How  is  that  ? 

Ph.  Because  the  net  is  never  spread  for  the  hawk  or  the 
kite,  that  do  us  mischief;  it  is  spread  for  thosC  that 
do  us  none ;  because,  to  be  sure,  in  the  last  there  is 
profit,  while  with  the  others  it  is  labor  lost.  Some 
people,  from  whom  something  can  be  got,  are  in  dan- 
ger from  others.  As  for  me,  they  know  I  have 
nothing. 

Ge.  (seeing  Demipho  coming)  The  old  man  is  coining. 
Take  care  what  you  are  about ;  the  first  encounter  is 
the  fiercest.  If  you  stand  that,  you  may  afterwards 
play  as  you  please.     (TJiey  retire  to  one  side.) 

Scene  2 
[Enter  Demipho  with  his  three  friends,  from  the  right.~\ 
Demipho  (and friends)         Phormio         Geta 

De.  (to  his  friends)  What !  did  you  ever  hear  of  an  injury 
done  to  any  one  in  a  more  outrageous  manner  than 
this  to  me  ?     Assist  me,  I  pray. 

Ge.    (aside  to  Phormio)  He  is  angry. 

Ph.   (aside  to  Geta)  Now  mark   this;    I'll    stir   him   up 


III.  2. 46-73]  PHORMIO  17 

presently!  (aloud  to  Geta)  Ye  gods  immortal !  Does 
Demiplio  say  that  this  Phanium  is  not  related  to  him  ? 
What !  Demipho  say  that  she  is  not  related  ? 

Ge.  He  does  say  so. 

Ph.   And  that  he  does  not  know  who  her  father  was  ? 

Ge.  He  says  so. 

De.  (to  himself,  recognizing  Phormio)  I  believe  it's  the 
very  man  I  was  discussing,  (to  his  friends)  Follow 
me.     (steps  forward) 

Ph.  (feigning  indignation)  Because  the  poor  thing  was 
left  destitute,  her  father  is  disowned,  she  herself  is 
slighted.     See  what  avarice  does. 

Ge.  {in  a  loud  voice,  affecting  indignation)  If  you  accuse 
my  master  of  misconduct,  you'll  hear  hard  words. 

De.  (aside)  What  impudence !  He  actually  comes  to 
accuse  me. 

Ph.  (to  Geta)  For  indeed  I  have  no  reason  for  being 
angry  with  the  young  man,  if  he  did  not  know  him; 
because,  as  the  man  was  now  advanced  in  years  and 
poor,  and  supported  himself  by  his  labor,  he  gener- 
ally confined  himself  to  the  country;  there  he  had 
a  farm  from  my  father  to  cultivate.  Often,  in  the 
meantime,  the  old  man  would  tell  me  that  this  kins- 
man of  his  neglected  him.  But  what  a  man  he  was! 
the  best  I  ever  saw  in  my  life.  If  I  had  not  formed 
such  an  opinion  of  him,  I  should  never  have  in- 
curred such  deep  enmity  with  your  family  on  account 
of  her,  whom  your  master  now  slights  so  ungenerously. 

Ge.  Do  you  persist  in  abusing  my  master  in  his  absence, 
you  villain! 

Ph.  Why,  this  is  what  he  deserves. 

Ge.   Say  you  so,  you  scoundrel  ? 


18  TERENCE  [III.  2.  74-100 

De.   (calling  him)  Geta ! 

Ge.   (to  Phormio,  pretending  not  to  hear)  You  def  rauder  of 

property,  you  perverter  of  the  laws ! 
De.    (calling  more  loudly)  Geta  ! 
Ph.    (in  an  undertone  to  Geta)  Answer  him. 
Ge.   (turning  round)  Who  is  it  ?  (pretending  to  be  aston- 
ished) Oh! 
De.    (to  Geta)  Hold  your  tongue. 
Ge.   (to  Demipho)  He  has  never  left  off  uttering  abuse 

against  you,  behind  your  back,  unworthy  of  you  and 

worthy  only  of  himself. 
De.   (to  Geta)   Stop,     (to    Phormio)  Young  man,  in  the 

first  place,   with  your  good  leave,  I  ask   you   this 

question,  if  you  can  be  pleased  to  give  me  an  answer. 

Who  do  you  say  that  friend  of  yours  was  ?    Explain 

this  to  me  and  how  he  said  that  I  was  related  to 

him. 
Ph.  You  are  fishing  it  out,  just  as  if  you  did  not  know. 
De.    I  know  ? 
Ph.   Yes. 
De.   I  say  I  do  not.     Do  you,  who  affirm  it,  rub  up  my 

memory. 
Ph.   Come,  didn't  you  know  your  own  cousin  ? 
De.   (angrily)  You  are  the  death  of  me !     Tell  me  his 

name. 
Ph.   His  name  ?     (hesitating)  Certainly. 
De.   Why  are  you  silent  now  ? 
Ph.   (aside   to  Geta)  Upon  my  word,  I'm  undone;  I've 

forgotten  the  name. 
De.    (impatiently)  What  do  you  say  ? 
Ph.   (aside)  Geta,  if  you  recollect  the  name  mentioned  a 

while  ago,  prompt  me.     (cdoud  to  Demipho).  Well,  I 


III.  2.  101-127]  PHORMIO  19 

won't  tell.  As  if  you  didn't  know,  you  come  to 
pump  me. 

De.    What !  I  pump  you  ? 

Ge.   (prompting  him)  Stilpo. 

Ph.  (indifferently)  And  besides  what  matters  it  to  me  ? 
It  is  Stilpo. 

De.  Whom  did  you  say  ? 

Ph.   Stilpo,  I  say  ;  you  knew  him. 

De.  I  neither  knew  him  nor  have  I  had  any  one  of  that 
name  related  to  me. 

Ph.  Really  ?  Are  you  not  ashamed  before  these  men  ? 
But  if  he  had  left  an  estate  of  ten  talents  — 

De.  The  gods  confound  you  ! 

Ph.  —  you'd  be  the  first  to  trace  your  pedigree,  by  mem- 
ory, from  grandfather  and  far-off  great-grandfather. 

De.  As  you  say.  In  that  case,  on  my  appearance  in 
court,  I  should  have  shown  how  she  was  related  to 
me ;  do  you  do  the  same.  Tell  me !  How  is  she 
related  to  me  ? 

Ge.  (to  Demipko)  Bravo!  master,  well  done !  (to  Phormio) 
You  there,  have  a  care ! 

Ph.  I've  explained  the  matter  fully  where  I  ought,  before 
the  judges.  If  it  was  false,  why  didn't  your  son 
then  disprove  it  ? 

De.  Do  you  talk  about  my  son  to  me  ?  Of  whose  folly 
there  is  no  speaking  as  it  deserves. 

Ph.  (ironically)  Well!  do  you,  who  are  so  wise,  go  to  the 
magistrates,  that  they  may  give  you  a  second  de- 
cision in  the  same  cause,  since  you  reign  alone,  and 
are  the  only  man  allowed  to  get  a  second  trial  here 
in  the  same  cause. 

De.   Although  wrong  has  been  done  me,  still,  however, 


20  TERENCE  [III.  2.  128-153 

rather  than  engage  in  a  lawsuit,  or  listen  to  you,  just 

as  though  she  were  a  relative,  rid  me  of  her  and  take 

five  minae,  the  dowry  which  the  law  orders  one  to 

give. 
Ph.   (laughing)  Ha!  ha!  ha!  a  pleasant  kind  of  man ! 
De.   What's  the  matter  ?     Do  I    ask   anything   unfair  ? 

Or  am  I  not  to  obtain  even  this,  which  is  common 

justice? 
Ph.    (with  affected  indignation)  And  pray,  is  it  so,  that  when 

a  maid  has  been  wedded,  the  law  orders  one  to  give 

her  money  and  dismiss  her  ?      Or  is  it  to  prevent 

a  citizen's  bringing  a  scandal  upon  herself  through 

poverty,  that  she  has  been  ordered  to  be  given  to  her 

nearest  relative,  to  pass  her  life  with  him  alone  — 

a  thing  which  you  mean  to  hinder  ? 
De.   Ay,  to  her  nearest  relative.     But  how  are  we  such  ? 

Or  why  are  we  concerned  ? 
Ph.   Hoho !  a  thing  that's  done,  they  say,  you  must  not  do 

again. 
De.   Not  do  ?     Nay,   I    shan't   desist  till   I   have  gone 

through  with  it. 
Ph.   You  are  trifling. 
De.  Just  let  me  be. 
Ph.  In  fine,  Demipho,  we  have  nothing  to  do  with  you. 

"lis  your  son,  and  not  you,  that's  cast,  for  your  time 

for  marrying  was  over  long  ago. 
De.   Consider  that  it  is  he  who  says  all  that  I  now  say, 

or  I'll  turn  both  him  and  this  wife  of  his  out  of 

doors. 
Ge.   (aside)  He  is  angry. 
Ph.  Better  for  you  to  do  that  to  yourself. 
De.   (angrily)  Are  you  thus  determined,  you  wretch,  to  do 

everything  to  my  injury  ? 


III.  2.  154-3.  177]  PHORMIO  21 

Ph.   (aside  to  Geta)  He  is  afraid  of  us,  for  all  his  care  to 

hide  it. 
Ge.   (aside  to  Phormio)  Your  beginning  is  a  success. 
Ph.   (aloud  to  Demipho)  Why  not  put  up  with  what  must 

be  borne  ?     You'll  be  acting  like  yourself,  so  that 

we  may  be  on  friendly  terms. 
De.  Do  I  court  your  friendship,  or  desire  to  see  or  hear 

you? 
Ph.   If  you  can  agree  with  her,  yon  will  have  some  one 

to  be  the  joy  of  your  old  age.     Consider  your  time 

of  life. 
De.   Let  her  be  your  joy ;  take  her  to  yourself. 
Ph.   Do  moderate  your  passion. 
De.   Mark  this ;    we   have   had  words   enough.     If  you 

don't  make  haste   to  take  away  the  woman,  I  will 

turn  her  out.     I  have  said  it,  Phormio. 
Ph.   If  you  deal  with  her  in  any  manner  other  than  befits 

a  gentlewoman,  I'll  bring  a  heavy  action  against  you. 

I  have  said  it,  Demipho.     (to  Geta)  If  you  want  me 

for  anything,  send  for  me,  mark  you !   at  my  home. 
Ge.   I  understand.     (Exit  Phormio  to  the  right.) 

Scene  3 
Demipho       Geta       Hegio       Cratinus       Crito 

De.  What  care  and  anxiety  does  my  son  bring  upon  me, 
by  entangling  himself  and  me  in  this  marriage ! 
And  he  will  not  appear  before  my  eyes,  that  at  least 
I  may  know  what  he  has  to  say  or  what  he  thinks 
about  this  matter,  (to  Geta)  Go  and  see  whether  he 
has  yet  returned  home  or  not. 

Ge.   I  will.     (Exit  into  Demiphd's  house.) 


22  TERENCE  [III.  3.  178-4.  202 

De.  (to  his  friends)  You  see  how  the  case  stands.  What 
am  I  to  do  ?     Tell  me,  Hegio. 

He.  I  ?  I  think  Cratinus  should  give  his  opinion,  if  you 
please. 

De.   Tell  me,  Cratinus. 

Cra.  Do  you  wish  me  to  speak  ? 

De.   You. 

Cra.  I  should  like  you  to  do  what  is  for  your  advantage. 
This  is  my  opinion :  it  is  lawful  and  fair  that  what 
this  son  of  yours  has  done  in  your  absence  should  be 
made  void ;  and  you  will  obtain  redress.  That's  my 
view. 

De.   Speak  now,  Hegio. 

He.  I  believe  that  Cratinus  has  given  his  real  view ;  but 
the  truth  is,  "  as  many  men,  so  many  minds  "  ;  every 
one  his  own  way.  My  view  is  that  what  has  been 
done  by  law  cannot  be  annulled ;  and  it  is  wrong  to 
attempt  it. 

De.   Speak,  Crito. 

Cri.  I  hold  that  we  must  deliberate  further ;  it  is  a  matter 
of  consequence. 

He.  Do  you  want  anything  more  of  us  ? 

De.  (ironically  polite)  You  have  done  very  well.  (Exeunt 
advisers.)  (to  himself,  despairingly)  I  am  much  more 
at  a  loss  than  before.     (Exit  to  the  left.) 

Scene  4 

[Enter  Dorio,  followed  by  PhaedriaJ] 

Phaedeia  Dorio  Antipho  Geta 

Ph.   (imploringly)  Dorio,  pray  hear  me. 
Do.  I  will  not.     (starts  to  leave  the  stage) 


III.  4.  203-224]  PHORMIO  23 

Ph.  But  a  moment,     (holding  him  back) 

Do.  Let  me  alone,     (shaking  him  off) 

Ph.  Hear  what  I  have  to  say. 

Do.  But  really  I  am  tired  of  hearing  the  same  thing  a 

thousand  times. 
Ph.   But  I  will  now  tell  you  something  that  you'll  hear 

with  pleasure. 
Do.   (turning  surlily)  Speak;  I'm  listening. 
Ph.   Can   I   not  prevail   on  you  to  wait  the  next  three 

days?      (Dorio   starts  off  again.)     Where   are   you 

going  now  ? 
Do.  I  was  wondering  if  you  had  anything  new  to  offer 

me. 

[Enter  from  the  right  Antipho  and  Geta,  unseen  by  Dorio 

and  Phaedria."] 

An.  (aside   to    Geta)    Ah!   I'm  afraid  that   this   fellow 

(pointing  to  Dorio)  is  working  mischief  for  his  own 

pate,  as  the  saying  runs. 
Ge.   (aside  to  Antipho)  That's  what  I'm  afraid  of. 
Ph.  Don't  you  yet  believe  me  ? 
Do.  You  are  trifling. 
Ph.   But  if  I  pledge  my  word  ? 
Do.  Nonsense ! 

Ph.   You  will  say  that  this  kindness  was  well  repaid  you. 
Do.  Mere  words ! 
Ph.  Believe  me,  you  will  be  glad  you  did  it ;  upon  my 

word,  it  is  the  truth. 
Do.  A  dream ! 

Ph.   Do  but  try  ;  the  time  is  not  long. 
Do.  You  sing  the  same  old  song. 
Ph.   (imploringly)  You  shall  be  my  kinsman,  my  father, 

my  friend,  my  — 


24  TERENCE  [III.  4.  225-256 

Do.   (interrupting)  Do  prattle  on,  you  stun  me. 

An.  (coming  forward  and  speaking  to  Dorio)  It  is  not  a 
long  time  that  he  asks.  Do  let  him  prevail  on  yon, 
Dorio.  (pointing  to  Phaedria)  This  gentleman,  more- 
over, will  pay  you  twofold,  if  you  oblige  him  in  any 
way. 

Do.  Mere  words ! 

An.  Will  you  allow  Pamphila  to  be  taken  from  this  city  ? 
Then,  besides,  can  you  allow  their  love  to  be  severed? 

Do.  Neither  I  nor  yon  do  that. 

Ph.  (furiously,  to  Dorio)  May  all  the  gods  give  you 
what  you  deserve ! 

Do.  (to  Phaedria)  I  have  borne  with  you  for  several 
months  against  my  inclination,  promising  but  bring- 
ing nothing,  and  whimpering;  now,  quite  the  con- 
trary, I  have  found  one  to  pay  without  blubbering ; 
give  place  to  your  betters. 

An.  (to  Phaedria)  Why,  certainly,  if  I  remember  right, 
there  was  once  a  day  fixed  upon,  for  you  to  pay  him. 

Ph.   There  was. 

Do.  Do  I  deny  it  ? 

An.  Is  that  day  past,  then  ? 

Do.  No ;  but  this  has  come  before  it. 

An.  Are  you  not  ashamed  of  your  bad  faith  ? 

Do.  Not  at  all,  when  it's  for  my  interest. 

Ph.   Dorio,  ought  you,  pray,  to  act  thus  ? 

Do.   'Tis  my  way;  if  you  like  me,  use  me. 

An.  Do  you  try  to  deceive  him  in  this  way  ? 

Do.  Nay,  Antipho,  it  is  he  that  deceives  me,  for  he  knew 
me  to  be  the  person  I  was,  but  I  supposed  that  he 
was  quite  different.  'Tis  he  that  has  deceived  me ; 
I  am  just  the  same  to  him  as  I  was.     But  however 


III.  4.  257-5.  280]  PHORMIO  25 

these  things  are,  yet  I  will  do  this.  The  captain 
has  said  that  to-morrow  morning  he  will  pay  me  the 
money;  if  you  bring  it  me  before  that,  Phaedria,  I'll 
follow  my  rule,  that  he  is  preferred  who  is  first  to 
pay.     Farewell!     (Exit  Dorio  to  the  right.) 

Scene  5 
Phaedria  Antipho  Geta 

Ph.  (in  despair)  What  am  I  to  do  ?  Wretch  that  I  am, 
where  shall  I  now,  so  speedily,  raise  the  money  for 
this  fellow,  I,  who  have  less  than  nothing  ? 

An.  Geta, 'shall  we  suffer  him  to  continue  thus  wretched, 
when  so  lately  he  assisted  me  in  the  friendly  manner 
you  spoke  of?  Why  not,  as  there's  need  of  it,  try 
to  do  him  a  kindness  in  return  ? 

Ge.   I  know  indeed  that  it  is  but  just. 

An.  Come  then,  you  are  the  only  man  able  to  help  him. 

Ge.   What  can  I  do  ? 

An.  Procure  the  money. 

Ge.   I  should  like  to,  but  tell  me  where. 

An.  My  father  is  now  here. 

Ge.   I  know  ;  but  what  then  ? 

An.  Ah  !  a  word  to  the  wise  is  enough. 

Ge.   Is  that  it  ? 

An.  Yes. 

Ge.  Upon  my  word,  you  really  give  fine  advice  !  But  is 
it  nothing  to  you,  that  the  old  gentleman  is  now  pro- 
voked against  us  all,  without  our  irritating  him  still 
more,  so  that  no  room  is  left  for  entreaty  ? 

Ph.  (wringing  his  hands)  Is  another  man  to  take  her  from 
before  my  eyes  to  some  unknown  spot  ?     (sighi)ig) 


26  TERENCE  [III.  5.  281-311 

All !  speak  to  me  now,  Antipho,  look  at  me,  while 

you  may  and  while  I  am  still  with  you. 
An.  Why  so  ?     Or  what  do  you  mean  to  do  ?     Tell  me. 
Ph.   To  whatever  part  of  the  world  she  is  carried,  I'm 

determined  to  follow  or  perish. 
Ge.   May  the  gods  prosper  your  plan  !     But  go  slowly. 
An.  Do  see  if  you  can  give  him  any  assistance. 
Ge.   Any  assistance  ?     How  ? 
An.  Do  seek  a  plan,  I  pray  you,  Geta,  that  he  may  not 

do  too  much  or  too  little,  for  which  we  may  after- 
wards be  sorry. 
Ge.  Very  well,     (after  reflection)  He  is  safe,  as  far  as  I 

can  see ;  but  indeed  I  fear  trouble. 
An.  Don't  be  afraid;   together  with  you,  we'll  endure 

good  or  bad. 
Ge.   How  much  money  do  you  want  ?     Tell  me. 
Ph.   Only  thirty  minae. 

Ge.   Thirty  ?     Ah  !  she  is  very  dear,  Phaedria. 
Ph.   (indignantly)  Indeed,  she  is  cheap. 
Ge.   Well,  well,  I'll  get  them. 
Ph.    (embracing  Geta)  You  splendid  fellow ! 
Ge.    (shaking  him  off)  Take  yourself  off. 
Ph.  I  want  them  at  once. 
Ge.   You  will   have   them    at   once.     But  I  must  have 

Phormio  for  my  assistant  in  this  business. 
An.  He's  ready.     Lay  on  boldly  any  load  you  like ;  he'll 

bear  it.     He's  a  right  good  friend  to  a  friend. 
Ge.   Let's  go  to  him  at  once,  then. 
An.  Is  there  any  occasion  for  my  assistance  ? 
Ge.   None ;    but  go  home  and  comfort  that  poor  thing, 

who,  I  am  sure,  is  now  indoors  almost  dead  with 

fear.     Do  you  linger  ? 


III.  5.  312-316]  PHORMIO  27 

An.  There's  nothing  I  could  do  with  so  much  pleasure. 

{Exit  into  Demipho's  house.) 
Ph.  How  will  you  manage  this  ? 
Ge.   I'll  tell  you  on  the  road ;    now  take  yourself  off. 

(Exeunt  Phaedria  and  Geta  to  the  right.) 


ACT   IV 

Scene  1 

\~Enter  Geta  from  the  right,  Demipho  and  Chremes  from 
the  left.  The  latter  has  just  arrived  from  Lemnos. 
Geta  soliloquizes,  not  observing  the  others.'] 

Geta  Demipho  Chremes 

Ge.  (to  himself)  I  never  saw  a  more  cunning  fellow  than 
Phormio.  I  came  to  the  fellow  to  tell  him  that 
money  was  needed,  and  by  what  means  it  might 
be  procured.  Hardly  had  I  said  one  half,  when 
he  understood  me ;  he  was  delighted,  complimented 
me,  and  asked  where  the  old  man  was.  He  thanked 
Heaven  that  an  opportunity  was  afforded  him,  for 
showing  himself  no  less  a  friend  to  Phaedria  than 
to  Antipho.  I  bade  the  fellow  wait  for  me  at  the 
forum,  whither  I  would  bring  the  old  gentleman. 
(catches  sight  of  Demipho)  But  here's  the  very 
man.  Who  is  the  further  one  ?  (in  dismay)  Oh  ! 
Phaedria's  father  has  come,  (more  composed)  But, 
goose  that  I  am,  what  was  I  afraid  of?  Is  it  be- 
cause two  are  given  me  instead  of  one  to  make 
dupes  of?  I  deem  it  better  to  enjoy  a  twofold 
hope.  I'll  try  him  I  first  designed  to  get  it  from ; 
if  he  gives  it  me,  well  and  good.  If  I  make  noth- 
ing of  him,  then  I'll  assail  this  newcomer.  (Crosses 
towards  the  old  men.) 

28 


IV.  2.  18-40]  PHORMIO  29 

Scene  2 

[Enter  Antipho  from  Demipho,s  house.     He  listens,  unper- 

ceived.] 

Astipho   Geta   Chremes   Demipho 

An.  (to  himself)  Every  moment  I  expect  Geta  to  come 

back,     (catching   sight   of   Chremes)  But   I    see   my 

uncle  standing  near  by,  with  my  father.     Ah  me  ! 

how  much  I  fear  the  effect  his  return  may  have 

upon  my  father ! 
Ge.   (to  himself)  I'll  go  up  to  them,     (accosting  Chremes) 

Welcome,  our  Chremes ! 
Ch.   How  do  you  do,  Geta  ? 
Ge.   I'm  glad  to  see  you  safe  returned. 
Ch.   I  believe  it. 
Ge.   How  goes  it  ?     Many  changes  here  on  one's  arrival, 

as  usually  happens  ? 
Ch.   Many. 
Ge.   'Tis  so.     Have  you   heard   what   has   happened  to 

Antipho  ? 
Ch.   Everything. 
Ge.    (to  Demipho)  Did  you  tell  him  ?     'Tis  a  shameful 

thing,  Chremes,  to  be  thus  imposed  on. 
Ch.   That's  what  I  was  discussing  with  him  just  now. 
Ge.   But  on  my  word,  on  carefully  revolving  it  in  my  own 

mind,  I  fancy  I  have  also  found  a  remedy  for  this  evil. 
Ch.   What  is  it,  Geta  ? 
De.   What  is  the  remedy  ? 
Ge.   (confidentially)  When  I  left  you,  by  chance  Phormio 

met  me. 
Ch.   What  Phormio  ? 


30  TERENCE  [IV.  2. 41-67 

Ge.   The  man  to  whom  the  girl  — 

Ch.    I  understand. 

Ge.  It  seemed  to  me  that  I  should  sound  his  motives. 
I  took  him  aside.  Said  I :  "  Why,  don't  you  see, 
Phormio,  how  we  can  settle  these  differences  be- 
tween us  with  a  good  grace  rather  than  a  bad  one  ? 
My  master  is  generous  and  hates  lawsuits ;  for 
really  all  the  rest  of  his  friends  were  just  now 
advising  him  with  one  voice  to  turn  her  out  of 
doors  at  once." 

An.  (aside)  What  is  he  about  ?     Or  where  will  he  stop  ? 

Ge.  "  Will  you  say  that  the  law  will  punish  him  if  he 
turns  her  out  ?  That  has  already  been  looked  into. 
Ah !  you'll  have  a  hot  enough  time  if  you  engage 
with  him.  He  is  so  eloquent.  But  suppose  he  is 
beaten ;  still  it  is  not  his  life,  but  his  money  that's 
at  stake."  After  I  found  that  the  fellow  was  influ- 
enced by  these  words,  I  said :  "  We  are  now  by  our- 
selves here;  come,  tell  me,  what  should  you  like 
given  you  in  cash,  provided  that  my  master  is  re- 
leased from  this  suit,  the  girl  takes  herself  off,  aad 
you  trouble  us  no  further  ?  " 

An.   (aside)  Can  the  gods  be  unkind  to  him? 

Ge.  (as  before)  "For  I'm  quite  sure,  if  you  mention 
anything  fair  and  reasonable,  so  fair-minded  a  man 
is  he,  you'll  not  have  to  bandy  three  words  to-day 
between  you." 

De.   Who  ordered  you  to  say  so? 

Ch.  Nay,  we  could  not  have  more  happily  attained  our 
object. 

An.    (aside)  I'm  undone ! 

De.   Go  on  with  your  story. 


IV.  2. 68-95]  PHORMIO  31 

Ge.   At  first  the  fellow  raved. 

Ch.  Tell  me  what  he  asks. 

Ge.   What?     Far  too  much. 

Ch.   How  much  ?     Tell  me. 

Ge.   Suppose  one  were  to  give  a  great  talent. 

De.  {very  angrily)  Nay,  on  my  word,  a  great  thrashing. 
Has  he  no  shame? 

Ge.  Just  what  I  said  to  him :  "  Pray,  suppose  he  were 
portioning  an  only  daughter  of  his  own.  It  has 
been  of  little  benefit  that  he  hasn't  had  one  of  his 
own,  when  another  is  thus  found,  to  demand  a 
dowry."  To  be  brief  and  to  pass  over  his  imperti- 
nences, this  at  last  was  his  final  answer:  "I,"  said 
he,  "  from  the  very  first,  have  been  desirous  to  marry 
the  daughter  of  my  friend,  as  it  was  right  I  should ; 
for  I  thought  of  the  trouble  for  her,  that  a  poor  girl 
be  given  in  slavery  to  a  rich  man.  But  to  tell  you 
now  frankly,  I  needed  a  wife  to  bring  me  a  trifle, 
with  which  to  pay  off  my  debts ;  and  even  now,  if 
Demipho  is  willing  to  give  as  much  as  I  am  getting 
from  her,  who  is  betrothed  to  me,  there  is  no  one 
whom  I  should  prefer  to  have  as  wife." 

An.  (aside)  I  am  uncertain  whether  to  say  he  is  acting 
through  folly  or  ill-will,  knowingly  or  thoughtlessly. 

De.  What  if  he  is  head  and  ears  in  debt? 

Ge.  "  My  laud,"  he  said,  "  has  been  mortgaged  for  ten 
minae." 

De.   Well,  well,  let  him  take  her  at  once.     I  will  give  it. 

Ge.   "  I've  a  little  house  too,  mortgaged  for  ten  more." 

De.   {angrily)  Whew!  that's  too  much. 

Ch.   Don't  cry  out;  you  may  claim  those  ten  of  me. 

Ge.   "  For  the  wife  I  must  buy  a  maid;  then  a  little  more 


32  TERENCE  [IV.  2.  96-3.  116 

furniture  is  needed ;  we  need  money  to  spend  on  the 

wedding.    For  these  items,"  said  he,  "  put  down,  pray, 

ten  minae." 
De.   Then  let  him  bring  against  me  at  once  a  thousand 

actions.     Nothing  do  I  give.     Is  this  filthy  fellow 

to  make  sport  of  me  as  well? 
Ch.  Pray  be  quiet ;  I'll  give  it.     Do  you  only  have  your 

son  marry  the  girl  we  want  him  to  have. 
An.    (aside,  in  despair)    Ah   me!    you  have  ruined  me, 

Geta,  by  your  deception. 
Ch.  It's  on  my  account  she  is  cast  off;  it's  right  that  I 

stand  this  loss. 
Ge.   "  As  soon  as  possible,"  said  he,  "  let  me  know,  if  they 

mean  to  give  her,  that  I  may  send  the  other  off,  so 

as  not  to  be  in  doubt ;  for  those  others  have  agreed 

to  give  me  the  dowry  at  once." 
Ch.   Let  him  get  the  money  at  once ;  let  him  inform  those 

people  that  the  engagement  is  broken  off ;  let  him 

marry  this  woman. 
De.   (angrily)  Ay,  and  a  curse  on  this  business  for  him ! 
Ch.   Very  luckily  I've  now  brought  some  money  with  me, 

the  income  which  my  wife's  farms  yield  at  Lemnos. 

I'll  take  it  from  that;    I'll  tell  my  wife  that  you 

needed  it.     (Exeunt  Demipho  and  Chremes.) 

Scene  3 

[Geta  makes  an  explanation  to  Antipho.~\ 

Antipho  Geta 

An.    (coming  forivard,  in  anger)  Geta  ! 

Ge.   Well! 

An.   What  have  you  done? 


IV.  3.  117-142]  PHORMIO  33 

Ge.  Fooled  the  old  men  out  of  their  money. 

An.  Is  that  all  ? 

Ge.  {supposing  his  question  refers  to  the  money)  Indeed, 
I  don't  know  ;  that  was  all  my  orders. 

An.  There,  you  scoundrel !  (striking  him)  Do  you  answer 
what  I  don't  ask? 

Ge.   Well,  what  do  you  mean? 

An.  What  do  I  mean?  Thanks  to  you,  my  case  has 
most  clearly  reached  the  hanging-point.  May  all 
the  gods  and  goddesses,  powers  above  and  below, 
bring  you  to  perdition  with  condign  punishments ! 
(bitterly)  See  !  if  you  want  anything  done,  intrust  it 
to  this  fellow,  who  would  drive  you  from  smooth 
water  on  to  a  rock.  What  could  have  been  less 
expedient  than  to  touch  this  sore  or  to  name  my 
wife  ?  Hopes  have  been  aroused  in  my  father  that 
she  may  possibly  be  cast  over.  Now  tell  me,  pray  : 
if  Phormio  receives  the  portion,  he  must  marry  her. 
What's  to  come  of  it? 

Ge.   Why,  he  won't  marry  her. 

An.  (ironically)  I  know  that.  But  when  they  demand 
the  money  back,  for  our  sake,  of  course,  he'll  prefer 
going  to  jail. 

Ge.  There's  no  story,  Antipho,  but  can  be  made  worse 
by  being  badly  told.  You  leave  out  what  is  good ; 
you  mention  what  is  bad.  Now  hear  the  other  side. 
If  he  receives  the  money,  he  must  at  once  marry  her, 
as  you  say.  I  grant  you.  Of  course,  some  little 
time,  at  least,  will  bo  allowed  for  preparing  the  nup- 
tials, for  inviting  guests,  and  for  offering  sacrifice. 
In  the  meantime,  friends  will  give  what  they  have 
promised ;  from  that  he  will  repay  the  sum. 


34  TERENCE  [IV.  3.  143-4.  165 

An.  Why  so  ?     Or  what  will  he  say  ? 

Ge.  Do  you  ask?  "How  many  circumstances  since  then 
have  befallen  me  as  prodigies?  A  strange,  black 
dog  entered  the  house ;  a  snake  fell  down  from  the 
tiles  through  the  skylight;  a  hen  crowed;  the 
soothsayer  forbade  it ;  the  diviner  declared  against 
it »  —  that  is  the  best  excuse.     This  will  happen. 

An.  I  only  hope  it  may. 

Ge.  (with  confidence)  It  will ;  trust  me.  {Exeunt  to  the 
right.) 

Scene  4 
[Enter,  in  great  agitation,  Sophrona  from  Demipho's  house.'] 

SOPHRONA  CHREMES 

So.  (to  herself)  What  am  I  to  do?  What  friend  can  I 
find  in  my  misery?  To  whom  disclose  these  plans? 
Or  where  seek  aid?  For  I  fear  my  mistress  may 
sustain  some  undeserved  injury  as  a  result  of  my 
advice,  in  such  dudgeon  does  the  young  man's 
father,  I  hear,  take  these  goings  on. 

[Enter  Chremes,  from  his  house,  unobserved.'] 

Ch.  (aside)  Who  in  the  world  is  this  old  woman,  who  has 
come  forth  from  my  brother's  house  in  mortal  terror? 

So.  It  was  distress  that  drove  me  to  this  course  (though 
I  knew  this  was  an  uncertain  match) ;  namely,  to  see 
to  it,  that  in  the  meantime  her  subsistence  might  be 
secure. 

Ch.  (aside)  Why  surely,  unless  my  mind  deceives  me,  or 
my  eyes  are  poor,  I  see  my  daughter's  nurse. 

So.   (to  herself)  And  we  cannot  find  — 


IV.  4.  166-194]  PHORMIO  35 

Ch.   (aside)  What  must  I  do  ? 

So.   (to  herself)  —  her  father. 

Ch.  (aside)  Shall  I  go  up  to  her  or  shall  I  wait  to  learn 
more  fully  what  she's  saying  ? 

So.  (to  herself)  But  if  now  I  could  find  him,  there's 
nothing  I  should  fear. 

Ch.  (aside)  It's  the  very  woman.  I'll  accost  her.  (ap- 
proaches her) 

So.    (startled)  Who  is  speaking  here? 

Ch.   (calling  to  her)  Sophrona ! 

So.   (aside)  Mentioning  my  name,  too  ? 

Ch.   Look  back  at  me. 

So.   (amazed)  Ye  gods,  I  beseech  you,  isn't  this  Stilpo  ? 

Ch.  No. 

So.   Do  you  deny  it  ? 

Ch.  (speaking  in  a  loio  and  excited  tone)  Please  step  a 
little  this  way  from  the  door,  Sophrona.  (They 
withdraw  to  one  side.)  Don't  call  me  by  that  name 
again. 

So.  What  ?  Are  you  not,  pray,  the  man  you  always 
said  you  were  ? 

Ch.   {looking  alarmed  toivard  his  house)  Hush! 

So.   Why  do  you  fear  those  doors  ? 

Ch.  [in  a  low,  mysterious  tone)  I  have  a  terror  of  a  wife 
shut  up  here.  But  formerly  I  falsely  called  myself 
by  that  name,  lest  you  should  chance  to  blab  it  care- 
lessly out  of  doors,  and  my  wife,  somehow,  should 
then  learn  of  it. 

So.  That's  the  reason,  to  be  sure,  why  we  poor  women 
could  never  find  you  here. 

Ch.  Well,  tell  me,  what  business  have  you  with  that 
family  from  whose  house  you  have  come  ?  Where 
are  the  ladies  ? 


36  TERENCE  [IV.  4.  195-223 

So.  Ah,  wretched  me ! 

Ch.   Hah !    What  now  ?     Are  they  alive  ? 

So.  Your  daughter  is.  As  for  the  mother,  poor  woman, 
this  grief  broke  her  heart. 

Ch.   Too  bad! 

So.  And  I,  a  poor,  lone,  unknown  woman  that  I  was, 
contrived,  as  well  as  I  could,  to  match  the  girl  to 
the  young  man  who  is  master  of  this  house. 

Ch.   To  Antipho  ? 

So.   Yes,  the  very  same. 

Ch.   {bewildered)  What  ?     Has  he  two  wives  ? 

So.   Dear  no !     Mercy  on  us !     He  has  only  this  one. 

Ch.   What  about  that  other,  who  is  called  a  relative  ? 

So.   She  is  the  very  same. 

Ch.   How  say  you  ? 

So.  It  was  done  by  arrangement,  that  so  her  lover  might 
secure  her  without  a  dowry. 

Ch.  (to  himself,  joyfully)  Gracious  heavens  !  How  often 
through  some  random  chance  do  things  come  about 
which  one  does  not  dare  to  hope  for  ?  Coining  here, 
I  have  found  my  daughter  wedded  just  as  I  wished, 
and  to  the  very  person  I  wished.  What  we  both 
were  using  our  most  earnest  endeavors  to  bring 
about,  he  alone,  aside  from  our  efforts,  but  with  the 
utmost  on  his  own  part,  has  effected. 

So.  Now  consider  what's  to  be  done.  The  young  man's 
father  has  come,  and  they  say  he  takes  this  in  great 
dudgeon. 

Ch.  There's  no  danger.  But,  by  gods  and  men,  see  that 
no  one  finds  out  that  she's  my  daughter. 

So.  No  one  shall  learn  it  from  me. 

Ch.  Follow  me;  indoors  you'll  hear  the  rest.  (Exeunt 
into  Demiphd's  house.) 


ACT   V 

Scene  1 

[Enter  Demipho  and  Nausistrata  from  Chremes'  house.~\ 
Demipho  Nausistrata 

De.  Come  now,  Nausistrata,  with  your  usual  skill,  see 
that  this  woman  becomes  well  disposed  to  us,  that 
of  her  own  accord  she  may  do  what  must  be  done. 

Na.   I  will. 

De.  Assist  me  now  with  your  efforts,  just  as  a  while  ago 
you  aided  me  with  your  substance. 

Na.  With  all  my  heart;  and  yet,  believe  me,  through 
my  husband's  fault,  I  can  do  less  than  I  ought. 

De.    Why  so  ? 

Na.  Because,  to  be  sure,  he  manages  so  carelessly  my 
father's  hard-earned  property  ;  for  from  these  farms 
he  used  to  receive  regularly  two  silver  talents.  How 
superior  one  man  is  to  another ! 

De.   Two  talents,  pray  ? 

Na.  Ay,  two  talents,  and  that  when  prices  were  much 
lower. 

De.   (affecting  surprise)  Whew! 

Na.    How  does  that  strike  you? 

De.   Striking  indeed! 

Na.    I  wish  I  had  been  born  a  man.     I'd  show  — 

De.    (interrupting)  I'm  sure  of  it. 

Na.   — in  what  wa)r  — 

De.    Pray,    spare    yourself,   that    you    may    be   able   to 

37 


38  TERENCE  [V.  1.  21-2.  45 

encounter  her,  lest  she,  a  young  woman,  may  wear 
you  out. 
Na.   I'll  do  as  you  bid  me ;  (sees  Chremes)  but  I  see  my 
husband  coming  from  your  house. 

Scene  2 

\_Enter  Chremes  from  Demipho's  house.~\ 

Nausistkata         Chremes         Demipho 

Ch.  (not  observing  his  wife's  presence)  Ha !  Demipho,  has 
the  money  been  paid  him  yet  ? 

De.   I  saw  to  it  at  once. 

Ch.  I  wish  it  hadn't,  (to  himself,  in  alarm)  Oh !  I  see 
my  wife ;  I  had  almost  said  too  much. 

De.   Why  so,  Chremes  ? 

Ch.    (embarrassed)  It's  all  right  now. 

De.  What  say  you  ?  Have  you  told  the  girl  why  we  are 
bringing  her  ?  (pointing  to  Nausistrata) 

Ch.    I've  settled  it. 

De.   What  does  she  say,  pray? 

Ch.    She  cannot  be  got  to  leave. 

De.   Why  not  ? 

Ch.    Because  they  love  each  other. 

De.   What's  that  to  us  ? 

Ch.  A  great  deal.  Besides,  I  have  found  out  that  she  is 
akin  to  us. 

De.   What  ?     You  are  mad  ! 

Ch.  So  it  will  prove.  This  is  no  rash  statement  of  mine  ; 
I've  recalled  the  matter  to  my  mind. 

De.   Are  you  in  your  senses  ? 

Na.  Bless  me  !  Do  take  care,  pray,  not  to  wrong  a  kins- 
woman. 


V.  2. 46-7G]  PHORMIO  39 

De.   She  is  not  a  kinswoman. 

Ch.    Don't  deny  it.     Her  father  went  by  another  name. 

That's  why  you  made  a  mistake. 
De.   Did  she  not  know  her  father  ? 
Ch.    She  did. 

De.    Why  did  she  give  him  another  name  ? 
Ch.    (angrily)  Will  you  never  yield  to  me  or  understand  ? 
De.    If  you  talk  nonsense  ? 
Ch.    (in  despair)  You  ruin  all. 
Na.    I  wonder  what  it  means. 
De.    On  my  word  I  know  not. 
Ch.    Would  you  like  to  know  ?     Why,  so  help  me  Heaven, 

nobody    is  more  nearly  akin  to  her  than   are   you 

and  I. 
De.   Heaven  help  us !     Let  us  go  to  her ;  I  want  all  of  us 

alike  to  know  the  truth  or  falsity  of  this  matter,  (going) 
Ch.    Ah  !  (stopping  him) 
De.  What's  the  matter  ? 

Ch.    To  think  that  you  have  so  little  confidence  in  me ! 
De.   Do  you  wish  me  to  believe  you  ?     Do  you  wish  me 

to  rest  satisfied  with  my  inquiries  about  this  ?     Well, 

be  it  so.     But  what's  to  be  clone  with  our  friend's 

daughter  ? 
Ch.    She  will  do  well  enough. 
De.   We  send  her  off,  then? 
Ch.    Why  not  ? 
De.    Is  the  other  to  stay  ? 
Ch.    Yes. 

De.    You  may  go  then,  Xausistrata. 
Na.    Indeed,  I  think  this  is  better  for  all  parties,  that  she 

should  stay,  than  as  you  had  planned;  for  when   I 

saw   her,   I   thought    her   a   thorough   gentlewoman. 

(Exit  into  Chremes'  Imuse.) 


40  TERENCE  [V.  2. 77-3.  98 

De.  What  does  this  mean  ? 

Ch.    (looking   round   anxiously)    Has  she  now   shut   the 

door  ? 
De.   Yes. 
Ch.    0  Jupiter,  the  gods  are  kind  to  us !    I've  found  it  is 

my  daughter  wedded  to  your  son. 
De.   Ha  !     How  could  that  be  ? 

Ch.    This  place  is  not  well  suited  for  me  to  tell  it  you. 
De.  Well,  pass  within. 
Ch.    Mark  you !     I  don't  want  even  our  sons  to  learn  of 

this.  (Exeunt  into  Demipho's  house.) 

Scene  3 

[Enter  Antipho  and  Phormio  from  the  right;  Geta  from 

Demiphoi's  house.'] 

Geta  Axtipho  Phormio 

Ge.  (soliloquizes,  not  observing  the  others)  0  Fortune  !  0 
happy  Luck  !  how  suddenly  by  your  grace  have  ye 
laden  this  day  with  great  blessings  for  my  master 
Antipho  !  — 

An.  (aside  to  Phormio)  What  in  the  world  does  he  mean  ? 

Ge.  (as  before) — and  relieved  us,  his  friends,  of  our 
burden  of  fear !  But  am  I  now  wasting  my  time, 
in  not  throwing  my  cloak  over  my  shoulder,  and 
making  haste  to  find  the  man,  that  he  may  know  what 
has  happened  ?  (throws  his  cloak  over  his  shoidder) 

An.  (aside  to  Phormio)  Do  you  understand  what  he's 
talking  about  ? 

Ph.    (aside  to  Antipho)  Do  you  ? 

An.  Not  at  all.  ' 


V.  3.  99-127]  PHORMIO  41 

Ph.    And  I  as  much. 

Ge.    (to    himself,   starting   to   run)   I'll   go   from  here  to 

Dorio's  ;  they  are  now  there. 
An.  Halloo,  Geta ! 
Ge.    (not  turning  round)  There  you  are  !     Is  it  strange  or 

novel  to  be  called  back,  when  you've  started  to  run  ? 
An.  Geta  ! 
Ge.    (aside)  He  persists,  by  Jove !  (aloud)  You  will  never 

get  the  better  of  me  by  your  annoyance. 
An.  Won't  you  stop  ? 
Ge.    Go  to  the  lash  ! 
An.  That's  just  what  will  soon  befall  yourself,  you  rascal, 

if  you  don't  stop. 
Ge.    This  must  be  somebody  pretty  intimate;  he  threat- 
ens a  whipping,    (burning  round)  But  is  it  the  man  I 

want  or  not  ?     'Tis  the  very  man.  To  him  at  once. 

(comes  back). 
An.  What's  the  matter  ? 
Ge.    0  happiest  of  all  men  living  !     For  without  question 

you  are  loved  of  the  gods  beyond  all  others,  Antipho. 
An.  So  I  could  wish;  but  I  should  like  you  to  tell  me 

why  I  am  to  suppose  this  is  so. 
Ge.    Is  it  enough,  if  I  steep  you  in  joy  ? 
An.  (impatiently)  You  torture  me. 
Ph.    (to  Geta)  Nay,  have  done  with  your  promises,  and 

tell  us  what  you  bring. 
Ge.   Oh,  were  you  here,  too,  Phormio  ? 
Ph.    Yes;  but  do  you  still  delay  ? 
Ge.    Well,  listen,     (to   Phormio)    After    paying   you  the 

money  just  now  at  the  forum,  we  went  directly  home. 

(to  Antipho)  In  the  meantime  my  master  sent  me  to 

your  wife. 


42  TERENCE  [V.  3.  128-155 

An.  What  for  ? 

Ge.  I'll  omit  telling  you,  for  it  is  nothing  to  the  present 
purpose,  Antipho.  Just  as  I  was  going  to  the  women's 
apartments,  her  boy  Mida  runs  up  to  me,  catches  hold 
of  me  behind  by  the  cloak,  and  pulls  me  back.  I  turn 
about  and  ask  why  he  stops  me.  He  tells  me 
he  has  orders  to  let  no  one  go  in  to  his  mistress. 
"  Sophrona,"  says  he,  "  just  now  brought  in  Chremes, 
your  master's  brother,"  and  he  says  that  he  is  now 
in  the  room  with  them.  When  I  heard  this,  I  stole 
softly  to  the  door  on  tiptoe,  came  up  to  it,  stood, 
held  my  breath,  laid  my  ear  close,  and  so  began  to 
listen,  in  this  fashion  catching  every  word. 

Ph.   Excellent,  Geta! 

Ge.  Here  I  heard  a  delightful  tale,  and  so,  on  my  oath, 
I  almost  cried  out  for  joy. 

An.  What  was  it? 

Ge.    What  do  you  think  ? 

An.  I  don't  know. 

Ge.  And  yet  a  most  surprising  one.  Your  uncle  is  found 
to  be  the  father  of  your  wife,  Phanium. 

An.  (amazed)   What's  that  you  say  ? 

Ge.  He  formerly  lived  secretly  in  Lemnos  with  her 
mother. 

Ph.  (incredulously)  A  dream  !  how  could  she  be  ignorant 
of  her  own  father  ? 

Ge.  Be  sure,  Phormio,  that  there  is  some  reason.  But 
do  you  suppose  that,  outside  of  the  door,  I  was  able 
to  understand  everything  that  passed  between  them 
within  ? 

An.  Indeed,  I,  too,  have  heard  that  story. 

Ge.    Nay,  I  will  give  you  still  further  reason  for  believ- 


V.  3.  156-4.  176]  PHORMIO  43 

ing  it.  Your  uncle  in  the  meantime  came  out  from 
there.  Not  long  after  he  returned  again  indoors 
with  your  father;  each  said  that  he  gave  you  permis- 
sion to  keep  your  wife.  In  short,  I  am  sent  to  find 
you,  and  bring  you  to  them. 

An.  (beside  himself  with  joy)  Why,  then,  carry  me  off ; 
why  do  you  delay  ? 

Ge.   I'll  do  so. 

Axi.  0,  my  dear  Phormio,  farewell ! 

Ph.   Farewell,  Antipho !    So  may  the  gods  bless  me,  'tis 
a  lucky  thing.     How  glad  I  am  ! 
(Exeunt  Antipho  and  Geta  into  Demipho' s  house.) 

Scene  4 

[Enter  Demipho  and    Chremes  from  the  former's  house. 
Phormio  is  unobserved.] 

Demipho  Chremes  Phormio 

De.  I  give  and  return  hearty  thanks  to  the  gods,  and 
with  reason,  brother,  seeing  that  these  matters  have 
turned  out  for  us  so  fortunately. 

Ch.   Is  she  not,  as  I  have  said,  ladylike  ? 

De.  Exceedingly  so.  As  soon  as  possible,  we  must  now 
meet  Phormio,  before  he  squanders  our  thirty  minae, 
so  that  we  may  get  them  from  him.  (Phormio 
comes  forward,  pretending  not  to  see  the  others.) 

Ph.  (to  himself)  I'll  go  see  Demipho,  if  he  is  at  home, 
that  what  we  — 

De.  (interrupting  him)  Why,  Phormio,  we  were  coming 
to  you. 

Ph.    Upon  this  same  affair,  perhaps? 

De.   Yes,  indeed. 


44  TERENCE  [V.  4.  177-205 

Ph.   I  thought  so.     Why  were  you  coming  to  my  house  ? 

De.   A  ridiculous  — 

Ph.  (interrupting  him)  What !  did  you  fear  that  I  shouldn't 
do  what  I  had  once  undertaken  ?  Mark  you  !  How- 
ever great  is  my  poverty,  still,  of  this  one  thing  I 
have  always  taken  care,  to  keep  my  word.  And  this, 
Demipho,  is  just  what  I'm  come  to  tell  you,  that  I  am 
ready;  when  you  please,  give  me  my  wife.  For  I 
postponed  everything  else,  as  was  fit  I  should,  when 
I  understood  that  you  were  so  desirous  to  have  it  so. 

De.  (confused)  But  he  (pointing  to  Chremes)  has  dissuaded 
me  from  giving  her  to  you.  "For  what,"  says  he, 
"  will  be  the  talk  among  people,  if  you  do  this  ? 
Formerly,  when  she  might  have  been  disposed  of 
with  honor,  then  she  wasn't  given  ;  now,  it's  a  shame 
for  her  to  be  turned  out  of  doors ;  "  —  practically  all 
the  very  reasons  which  you  yourself  so  lately  had 
urged  against  me  to  my  face. 

Ph.  (indignantly)  You  treat  me  in  a  very  insulting 
manner. 

De.    How  ? 

Ph.  Do  you  ask  me  ?  Because  I  shall  not  be  able  to 
marry  the  other  girl  either  ;  for  with  what  face  shall 
I  return  to  her  Avhom  I  have  slighted  ? 

Ch.  (apart  to  Demipho,  prompting  Mm)'  Say:  "Then 
again  I  see  that  Antipho  is  unwilling  to  part  with 
her." 

De.  {repeating)  Then  again  I  see  that  my  son  is  certainly 
unwilling  to  part  with  her.  But  pray  step  over  to 
the  forum,  and  order  this  money,  Phormio,  to  be  paid 
back  to  me  again. 

Ph.  What,  when  I  in  turn  paid  it  to  those  to  whom  I 
was  indebted  ? 


V.  4.  20G-233]  PHORMIO  45 

De.   What's  to  be  done  then  ? 

Ph.   If  you  will  let  me   have  her  as  wife,   whom   you 

formally  promised,  I  will  take  her,  but  if  you  prefer 

that   she  should    stay  with   you,  Demipho,  let   the 

portion  stay  with  me.     For  it  is  not  fair  that  I  should 

be  deceived  on  your  account,  when  out  of  regard  for 

your  honor  I  broke  off  with  the  other,  who  was  to 

bring  me  a  portion  just  as  large. 
De.    (furiously)  Go  to  perdition  with  your  bombast,  you 

vagabond.     Do  you  still  imagine  that  I  am  such  a 

stranger  to  you  or  your  ways  ? 
Ph.    (in  pretended  anger)  You  are  provoking. 
De.  Would  you  have  married  her,  if  she  had  been  given 

to  you  ? 
Ph.   Make  trial. 

De.   Why  don't  you  give  me  my  money  ? 
Ph.   Nay,  but  do  you  give  me  my  wife. 
De.   Come  before  a  judge. 

Ph.   Indeed,  if  you  persist  in  being  troublesome  — 
De.   What  will  you  do  ? 
Ph.   I  ?     Perhaps  you  think  that  I  have  only  portionless 

women  under  my  protection ;  it  is  my  custom  to  look 

after  those  with  portions  as  well. 
Ch.   What  is  that  to  us  ? 
Ph.    (carelessly)  Nothing.      I    knew  a  lady  here  whose 

husband  had  — 
Ch.   Hah! 

De.   (to  Chremes)  What  is  the  matter  ? 
Ph.   —  another  wife  at  Lemnos. 
Ch.    (aside,  in  despair)  I'm  ruined. 
Ph.   By  whom  he  had  a  daughter;  and  her  he  is  secretly 

bringing  up. 


46  TERENCE  [V.  4. 234-202 

Ch.    (aside)  I'm  buried. 

Ph.  That's  the  whole  story  that  I  will  presently  tell 
her.     (starts  to  go  towards  Chremes'  house) 

Ch.   For  Heaven's  sake,  don't. 

Ph.    (affecting  surprise)  Oh,  were  you  the  man  ? 

De.   "What  sport  he  makes  of  us  ! 

Ch.   (to  Phormid)  We'll  let  you  off. 

Ph.  Nonsense ! 

Ch.  What  would  you  have?  "We  forgive  you  the  money 
you  have  of  ours. 

Ph.  I  hear.  "Why  then,  you  wretch,  do  you  trifle  with 
me  so  absurdly  ?  "I  won't,  I  will ;  I  will,  I  won't," 
again :  "  take  it,  give  it  up ;  what  has  been  said  is 
unsaid ;  what  just  now  was  a  bargain  is  no  bargain 
now." 

Ch.  (aside  to  Demipho)  How  or  where  has  he  heard  of 
this? 

De.  (aside  to  Chremes)  I  know  not,  only  I  do  know  well 
that  I've  told  nobody. 

Ch.   (aside  to  Demipho)  Heaven  help  me,  it's  like  a  miracle. 

Ph.   (to  himself)  I  have  made  them  uneasy. 

De.  (aside  to  Chremes)  Ha  !  Is  he  to  carry  off  from  us 
such  a  sum  of  money  as  this,  making  sport  of  us  in 
this  barefaced  way?  On  my  word,  I'd  sooner  die 
outright.  Manage  to  show  yourself  of  ready  and 
resolute  wit  ;  you  see  that  this  mistake  of  yours  has 
got  abroad,  nor  will  it  now  be  possible  to  conceal  it 
from  your  wife.  As  it  is,  Chremes,  the  better  way 
to  appease  her  is  to  tell  her  ourselves  what  she  is  likely 
to  hear  from  others ;  then,  in  our  own  fashion,  we 
shall  be  able  to  take  vengeance  on  this  rascal. 

Ph.    (aside,  in  alarm)  Ah !  if  I  don't  look  out  for  myself, 


V.  4.  2615-288]  PHORMIO  47 

I'm  in  a  fix.  These  men  are  making  toward  me  with 
gladiatorial  intent. 

Ch.  (aside  to  Demipho)  But  I'm  afraid  she  cannot  be 
appeased. 

De.  (aside  to  Cliremes)  Be  of  good  courage ;  I'll  make  it 
up  between  you,  relying  on  this  fact,  Chremes,  that 
the  woman  by  whom  this  daughter  was  born  to  you 
has  passed  from  this  world. 

Ph.  (to  the  old  men)  Is  this  the  way  you  deal  with  me  ? 
Very  cleverly  you  make  the  attack.  On  my  word  it 
is  not  to  his  advantage  (pointing  to  Chremes)  that 
you  have  provoked  me,  Demipho.  By  this  recital  I 
will  make  her  so  incensed  against  you  (to  Chremes) 
that  you  won't  quench  her  wrath  if  you  shed  floods 
of  tears. 

De.  May  all  the  gods  and  goddesses  send  him  a  plague ! 
That  any  man  should  be  possessed  of  so  much  im- 
pudence !  To  think  that  such  a  rascal  is  not  trans- 
ported by  the  state  to  some  desert. 

Ch.  (aside  to  Demipho)  I  am  reduced  to  such  a  pass  that 
I  simply  know  not  what  to  do  with  him. 

De.    (aside  to  Chremes)  I  know;  let  us  go  to  court. 

Ph.  (overhear in//  him)  To  court?  This  way,  if  you 
please,  (starts  towards  Chremes1  house) 

Ch.  (to  Demipho)  "Follow  him  ;  hold  him  back,  while  I 
call  out  the  servants. 

De.   Indeed  I  cannot  by  myself ;  run  to  my  aid. 

Ph.    (to  Demipho)  There  is  one  action  against  you. 

De.    (to  Phormio)  Then  proceed  by  law. 

Ph.    (to  Chremes)  There  is  a  second  against  you,  Chremes. 

Ch.    (to  Demipho)    Away  with  him. 

Ph.  Is  this  your  plan?  I  must  certainly  use  my  voice. 
(calling  aloud)  iSTausistrata,  come  out. 


48  TERENCE  [V.  4. 28&-5.  312 

Ch.    (to  Demipho)  Stop  his  mouth;    see  how  strong  the 

rascal  is. 
Ph.    (calling  louder)  Nausistrata,  I  say. 
De.   Won't  you  hold  your  tongue  ? 
Ph.    Hold  my  tongue  ? 
De.    (to  Chremes)  If  he  won't  follow,  punch  him  in  the 

stomach. 
Ph.    Or  knock  out  an  eye.     Some  day  I'll  punish  you 

soundly. 

Scene  5 

[Enter  Nausistrata  from  Chremes'  house.] 

Nausistrata      Chremes      Demipho     Phormio 

Na.  Who  calls  me?  (to  Chremes)  Ha!  Pray,  what  means 
this  disturbance,  my  husband  ? 

Ph.    (to  Chremes)  Oh,  why  are  you  now  mute  ? 

Na.  (to  Chremes,  pointing  to  Phormio)  Who  is  this  man  ? 
Won't  you  answer  me  ? 

Ph.  (to  Nausistrata)  Would  he  answer  you,  who  on  my 
word  does  not  know  where  he  is  ? 

Ch.  (to  Nausistrata)  Beware  of  believing  him  in  any- 
thing. 

Ph.  (to  Nausistrata)  Go,  touch  him ;  if  he  is  not  cold  all 
over,  you  may  kill  me. 

Ch.    (carelessly)  It's  nothing. 

Na.   Why  then  ?     What  is  he  talking  about  ? 

Ph.    You'll  soon  learu.     Listen. 

Ch.    Do  you  mean  to  believe  him  ? 

Na.  Believe  him  in  what,  pray,  when  he  has  told  me 
nothing  ? 

Ph.    The  poor  creature  is  crazed  with  fear. 


V.  5.  313-340]  PHORMIO  49 

Na.  (to  Chremes)  On  my  word,  it  cannot  be  without  rea- 
son that  you  are  in  such  a  fright. 

Ch.    I  in  a  fright  ? 

Ph.  (to  Chremes)  Quite  right.  Since  you  are  not  in  a 
fright,  and  what  I'm  going  to  tell  is  nothing  at  all, 
tell  it  yourself. 

De.   Villain  !     Is  he  to  tell  the  tale  for  you  ? 

Ph.  (to  Demipho)  Come  now  !  you  have  managed  nicely 
for  your  brother. 

Na.   My  husband,  won't  you  tell  me  ? 

Ch.    (stammering)  But  — 

Na.    Why  '  but '  ? 

Ch.    There's  no  need  to  tell  it. 

Ph.  (to  Chremes)  Not  for  you  indeed;  but  there's  need 
for  her  to  know  it.     (to  Nausistrata)  In  Lemnos  — 

Na.   (alarmed)  Ha!  what's  that  you  say  ? 

Ch.    (to  Phormio)  Won't  you  be  silent  ? 

Ph.   —  unknown  to  you  — 

Ch.    (aside)  Ah  me  ! 

Ph.    — he  married  another. 

Na.    (horrified)  My  dear  sir,  Heaven  forbid ! 

Ph.    That  is  the  fact. 

Na.    Unhappy  one,  I  am  undone ! 

Ph.  And  has  already  had  one  daughter  by  her,  while 
you  knew  nothing  of  it. 

Ch.    (aside  to  Demipho)  What  are  we  to  do  ? 

Na.  Ye  gods  immortal !  What  a  disgraceful  and  wicked 
deed! 

Ph.    This  is  what  he  has  done. 

Na.  Was  anything  ever  done  more  shameful  ?  Demi- 
pho, I  appeal  to  you,  for  1  have  no  patience  to 
speak  with  the  man  himself.    Were  these  his  fre- 


50  TERENCE  [V.  3. 341-367 

quent  journeys  and  long  stays  at  Lemnos  ?  Was 
this  the  cheapness  that  lowered  our  rents  ? 

De.  I  don't  deny,  Nausistrata,  that  in  this  matter  he 
has  deserved  censure,  but  why  should  it  not  be  par- 
doned? 

Ph.  (aside  in  glee)  He  preaches  to  the  dead. 

De.  For  it  was  neither  through  any  aversion  nor  con- 
tempt of  you  that  he  did  it.  She  is  dead;  she  is 
departed,  —  the  only  difficulty  that  remained  in  this 
matter.  Therefore  I  beg  of  you  to  bear  this  trouble 
with  the  same  equanimity  as  you  show  on  other 
occasions. 

Na.  What  should  I  bear  with  equanimity?  Miserable  as 
I  am,  I  wish  now  to  make  an  end  of  trouble  in 
this  matter.  But  what  reason  have  I  to  hope  ?  Am 
I  to  suppose  that  with  years  he  will  offend  less? 
He  was  then  old  enough,  if  old  age  makes  men  well- 
behaved.  Are  my  age  and  beauty  to  attract  him 
more  now,  Demipho  ?  What  can  you  offer,  to  make 
me  think,  or  hope,  that  it  will  not  happen  any  more  ? 

Ph.  (aloud,  in  mocking  tones)  If  any  are  disposed  to 
come  to  the  funeral  of  Chremes,  lo !  now's  the  time, 
"lis  thus  I  will  pay  back.  Come  now,  let  him  pro- 
voke Phormio,  who  dares;  I'll  see  that  he  is  pun- 
ished even  as  this  man.  (aside)  Why,  let  him  re- 
turn now  to  favor ;  I  have  had  revenge  enough.  She 
has  something  to  din  into  his  ears,  as  long  as  she 
lives. 

Na.  (ironically)  But  I  deserved  this,  I  suppose.  Why 
should  I  now,  Demipho,  tell  him  in  all  particulars 
how  faithful  I  have  been  to  him  ? 

De.   I  know  it  all,  as  well  as  you. 


V.  5.  368-397]  PHORMIO  51 

Na.  Do  you  think  that  I  deserved  this  usage  ? 

De.  Far  from  it;  but  now,  since  it  cannot  be  undone  by 
reproaches,  forgive  him.  He  implores  you,  he  makes 
confession,  lie  offers  an  apology.  What  would  you 
have  more  ? 

Ph.  (aside)  Certainly,  before  she  grants  pardon,  I  must 
secure  myself  and  Phaedria.  (aloud)  Hark  you, 
Nausistrata !  Before  you  answer  him  rashly,  listen 
to  me. 

Na.   What  is  the  matter  ? 

Ph.  I  drew  from  him  by  trickery  thirty  minae.  These 
I  gave  to  your  son ;  he  has  paid  them  for  his  wife. 

Ch.   (angrily)  Ha  !  what's  that  you  say  ? 

Na.  (sarcastically  to  Chremes)  Does  it  seem  to  you  so 
shocking  that  your  son,  a  young  man,  should  have 
one  wife,  while  you  have  two  ?  Have  you  no  shame  ? 
With  what  face  will  you  reprove  him  ?     Answer  me. 

De.   He  will  do  as  you  would  wish. 

Na.  Nay,  that  you  may  now  know  my  mind,  I  neither 
forgive,  nor  promise  anything,  nor  give  any  answer, 
till  I  see  my  son.  To  his  decision  I  leave  every- 
thing.    I  will  do  whatever  he  bids  me. 

Ph.    You're  a  wise  woman,  Nausistrata. 

Na.    (to  Demipho)  Are  you  content  ? 

De.   Yes. 

Ch.  (to  himself)  Nay  indeed,  I  come  off  well  and  satis- 
factorily, and  beyond  my  expectation. 

Na.    (to  Phormio)  Will  you  tell  me  your  name  ? 

Ph.  Phormio;  a  friend,  I  assure  you,  to  your  family, 
and  in  particular,  to  your  son  Phaedria. 

Na.  Well,  Phormio,  you  may  depend  on  it  that  hence- 
forward I'll  do  and  say  for  you,  so  far  as  I  can, 
whatever  you  wish. 


52  TERENCE  [V.  5.  398-408 

Ph.   You're  very  kind. 

Na.  Indeed  you  deserve  it. 

Ph.  Will  you  first  do  now,  Nausistrata,  a  thing  that  will 
please  me,  and  make  your  husband's  eyes  smart  ? 

Na.   I  should  like  to. 

Ph.    Invite  me  to  dinner. 

Na.   Indeed,  on  my  word,  I  do  invite  you. 

Ph.    Let  us  go  indoors. 

Na.   Agreed.     But  where  is  Phaedria,  our  judge  ? 

Ph.  I'll  have  him  here  presently.  {Exit  to  right.  Ex- 
eunt the  rest  into  Chremes'  house.)  {To  the  audience) 
Farewell  and  grant  applause ! 


DATE  DUE 


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